Hewlett-Packard unveiled an innovative line of printers Monday that includes a new model with a detachable touchscreen control that can double as a wireless web tablet and e-reader. Called the Photosmart eStation, the new machine is compatible with HP’s ePrint technology, which stores the user’s documents in the cloud so they can be printed without the need for an intervening PC.
HP’s ePrint-enabled printers allow web-connected devices — such as Apple’s iPhone and iPad, as well as netbooks and other mobile gear — to print files remotely, noted HP Executive Vice President Vyomesh Joshi.
“HP is unleashing innovation, and has once again made the future a reality,” Joshi said at the HP Innovation Summit in New York on Monday. “We have transformed the flow of content for all customers, letting them access, share, print and manage content virtually anytime or anywhere in the world.”
An All-In-One Machine
The HP Photosmart eStation is designed to print files, photos and other content, as well as scan or copy documents. Slated to become available later this year for $399, the all-in-one machine is also capable of sending and receiving faxes, said HP spokesperson Cherie Britt.
Featuring a monthly duty cycle of up to 1,250 pages, the HP Photosmart eStation offers a print resolution of 600×600 dpi for black ink, and up to 9600×2400-optimized dpi when printing in color on selected HP photo papers from files delivering an input of 1,200 dpi. Moreover, the scan resolution for documents ranges up to a maximum of 1200×2400 dpi.
According to Britt, the new machine’s seven-inch color touchscreen, which serves as a wireless control panel for remote printing, runs a modified version of the Android operating system. The detachable device is also capable of functioning independently as a portable e-reader, giving users convenient access to the latest e-book bestsellers and a…